FY11 Funded Projects

The HISC disbursed $1.8M in FY11 to support projects related to invasive species prevention, control, and outreach. A full description of FY11 activities can be found in the 2012 legislative report. Individual project summaries and final reports are below.

Prevention

Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Coordinator

DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, $37,296

In FY10, the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) lost its Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Coordinator. During FY11 the position was vacant and minimum duties were carried out by the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Leader using HISC funds. These minimum duties included evaluating ballast water reports weekly to ensure that compliance was followed by shipping industry; attended California State Lands Commission, Marine Invasive Species Program, Vessel Fouling Technical Advisory Group meetings where hull fouling regulatory documents are being drafted; and conducted occasional hull fouling inspections partnered alongside representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM).

Hawaii Ant Lab

Hawaii Department of Agriculture, $58,000

To prevent entry and stop the spread of invasive ants in Hawaii. This past year has seen the appointment of two key staff in the Hawai`i Ant Lab (HAL). This has been necessary in order to meet the growing workload of invasive ant management. Together, Ms Michelle Montgomery (research technician) and Mr Brent Sheehan (research assistant) bring substantial skills, expertise and capacity to the HAL.

Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment

Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment, $59,970

The Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) system is a internationally recognized biosecurity screening tool that rates the potential of a plant species to become invasive in Hawaii. The HPWRA project addresses several Goals and Objectives within the HISC Strategic Plan and increases the capacity and collaboration within the Prevention, Established Pests, and Public Outreach working groups. The project supports Goal one of the Prevention working group, “review risks of pest/invasive species entry into the state”.

Control

Foreign Exploration for Biocontrol Agents

Hawaii Department of Agriculture, $55,000

The primary mission of the HDOA Plant Pest Control Branch is to provide a favorable environment for agricultural development in Hawai`i and to protect the natural environment from invasive species by eradicating and controlling plant pest populations that have the potential to cause significant economic damage. This is achieved through statewide programs using chemical, mechanical, biological, and integrated control measures for early detection, rapid response, containment, and eradication/control of plant pests, including insects and mites, molluscs, weeds, and plant pathogens.

HDOA’s Biocontrol Program has effectively controlled many invasive pests in Hawaii which were not amenable to control by other means. This proposal requested funding for PPC foreign exploration and operations to address some of PPC’s primary biocontrol targets, particularly fireweed, maile pilau, fountain grass, banana aphid, Miconia, and small hive beetle.

Aquatic Invasive Species Response Team

DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, $280,282

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program worked to detect, prevent, and control the spread of alien invasive algae throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands. Energy was mainly focused in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, as this has been determined to be an area with the most likelihood of success. The AIS program strived to maintain positive working relationships with other governmental, private, non-profit, and university members in order to help each other work towards a common goal of reef restoration.

Kauai Detection and Control of Invasive Species

Kauai Invasive Species Committee, $150,224

In FY 2011, KISC continued working on goals outlined by the HISC Established Pest Working Group Strategic Plan. Priority was given to island-wide early detection, rapid response, and control of various plants, vertebrates, and insect targets.

KISC’s work with control and eradication of Miconia (Miconia calvescens) in the Wailua District continues to be a top priority. Strategic planning with partners has resulted in implementing new tactics to survey and treat this watershed destroyer. KISC continues to be the primary responder to new coqui reports; monitoring one wild-land population and quickly dispatching new coqui as they are introduced across Kauaʻi. During this year, KISC also conducted an island-wide survey for invasive invertebrates, including Little Red Fire Ant (LFA).

Oahu Detection and Control of Invasive Species

Oahu Invasive Species Committee, $122,248

The Oahu Invasive Species Committee is a partnership united to protect our island from invasive species that threaten our island’s environment, watersheds, agriculture, economy and quality of life. OISC systematically contains or eradicates targeted invasive species, educates the public, and implements early detection programs to find newly introduced invasive species before they “jump the fenceline.” In FY 2011, OISC continued work toward fulfilling the objectives of the HISC Established Pests working group by controlling priority invasive species and detecting and evaluating new incipient species. OISC received $119,748 from HISC, 16% of its annual budget. In FY11, HISC funds were leveraged with $590,832 in additional funds.

Maui County Detection and Control of Invasive Species

Molokai and Maui Invasive Species Committees, $172,248

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is a project of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit – University of Hawai‘i. HISC funding supported efforts to detect and control invasive plants and animals across the islands of Maui and Lāna‘i. Work on Moloka‘i was conducted by the Moloka‘i Invasive Species Committee as part of the same grant.

Big Island Detection and Control of Invasive Species

Big Island Invasive Species Committee, $340,280

Over the past year, BIISC has focused on three adaptive management priorities; 1) early detection of new nonnative species, 2) rapid response to incipient species and new locations of existing invasive species, and 3) education and outreach. BIISC also remains “on call” for crisis management as new priorities emerge – in 2011 we were able to rapidly and efficiently refocus operations to prioritize axis deer as an emergent target.

Outreach

Public Outreach for Kauai

Kauai Invasive Species Committee, $19,800

In FY2011, KISC Outreach continued working on goals outlined by the HISC Public Outreach Working Group Strategic Plan. Priority was given to educating the community regarding the importance of Early Detection and providing them with ways to report new species sightings. KISC also participated in various education programs and community events across Kauaʻi, highlighting not only state-wide invasive species concerns, but KISC local priority targets as well. KISC works on raising awareness, building participation and partnerships, and connecting with community on a grassroots level.

The Oahu Invasive Species Committee is a multi-agency partnership dedicated to protecting Oahu from invasive species that may harm the environment, agriculture, watersheds, economy and quality of life on Oahu. The Hawai‘i Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) program assesses plant species for invasive potential, using a science-based scoring system. The HPWRA assesses species submitted by landscaping professionals, natural resource managers and the general public.

The outreach goal for the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council is to educate public and private sectors about invasive species in order to positively affect perception, action and funding for invasive species. MISC’s strategic plan for engaging the public includes a comprehensive media program, participation in community events, involvement with the landscape industry, and a strong education program. Outreach has been crucial for developing county support and for gaining access to private property. Outreach and education activities for Moloka‘i are reported separately but were covered by the same grant.

Big Island Education and Outreach

Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach

DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, $7,000

Although planned outreach products and projects on aquatic invasive species did not commence, POWG participants assisted DAR staff and the DLNR Public Information Officer on planning and implementing media outreach on several projects using native sea urchins in controlling alien algae in Kaneohe Bay.

Video Production: The Impacts of Feral Animals on Hawaiian Forests

DLNR DOFAW Watershed Partnerships Program $12,000

A Request for Quotes (RFQ) was issued in December of 2010 for the video production (attached). The lowest quote was received from Cal Hirai of Dive and Trek, LLC, who has worked on other productions for HISC and DOA. Based on a recommendation from HISC staff, a purchase order for the entire amount of the grant was issued in January 2011. According to the RFQ the production was to be completed in 28 weeks. A list of potential interview subjects was provided by HISC and Watershed staff to the contractor. We assisted him in contacting potential subjects to arrange interview dates. Eight days of shooting on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island resulted in 28 interviews with some B-roll footage. The shooting stretched out in July as it was difficult to coordinate the outside island trips to make sure we interviewed everyone on the same days.

Buy Local, It Matters PSA: Import Replacement

'Perils in Paradise' Outreach to Schools

Hawaii Department of Health, $3,000

This project did not proceed.

Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project Technical Assistant

Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project, $20,000

This year, the HEAR Invasive Species Information Technician (the position that this funding supported) provided direct support to the Hawaii Invasive Species Partnership (HISC/CGAPS/ISCs) website, provided direct support to creation of a Hawaii-centric biocontrol website, provided quality control for the Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) “sources” data, and provided direct support for outreach efforts of the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Hawaii Early Detection Network Outreach/Display Materials

Pacific Basin Information Node, $1,188

The Hawaii Early Detection Network (HEDN) is the expansion of an outreach component of statewide early detection survey and eradication programs that is administered and managed by the Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit at UH- Hilo and the USGS Biological Informatics Program (BIP).